A lectern has been unveiled to celebrate the 200th anniversary of one of the city’s oldest estates.

Members of the Kemp Town Society gathered opposite Sussex Square in Kemp Town, Brighton, on Saturday afternoon.

They unveiled the lectern on the south side of Marine Parade on what was a glorious day in Brighton.

The estate was conceived and financed by Thomas Read Kemp and building work started in 1823 and was finished in 1855.

The Argus: The lectern opposite Sussex SquareThe lectern opposite Sussex Square (Image: The Argus)

Simon Smith, chairman of the society, said: “This was the last piece of the jigsaw. The money is the last bit of our member Alex Bruce’s legacy. Alex died in 2016.

"The whole sum was £20,000, we produced seven information boards, redecorated the pillars around the garden, we did this lectern and we produced a book.

“The garden is the eastern book end of Brighton and Hove and the western book end is Brunswick Town. When it was built, it was some distance away from what existed of Brighton.”

The Argus: One of the pillars that was redecorated by the Kemp Town SocietyOne of the pillars that was redecorated by the Kemp Town Society (Image: Frans Blok)

The Kemp Town Estate, which comprises Sussex Square and Lewes Crescent, is the largest crescent in Britain with a diameter 200 feet greater than Bath Royal Crescent.

Vanessa Minns, 81, who has lived in Brighton for 20 years, designed the lectern.

She said: “The whole lectern is based on an early map of Kemp Town so that was the obvious thing to do.

The Argus: Members of the Kemp Town SocietyMembers of the Kemp Town Society (Image: The Argus)

“The estate was also home to all the people who were needed, the shop workers, servants, stables, all the trades you need.

“The book we wrote is called Hidden Treasures on the Kemp Town Estate. It is a description of the plaster panels in 40 houses in the estate."

The estate gave its name to the larger Kemptown region of Brighton.

Kemp Town resident Gavin Henderson, 75, unveiled the lectern in front of the 30-strong crowd.

The Argus: From left, Simon Smith, Gavin Henderson and Vanessa MinnsFrom left, Simon Smith, Gavin Henderson and Vanessa Minns (Image: The Argus)

He said: “It was a proud moment for me. I am a Brighton boy born and bred. I have lived in Kemp Town all my life. I feel proud and honoured.

“It’s also lovely that it’s happening within the period of the Brighton Festival, I was the director of the festival for many years.”

For more information on the society, visit its website.